Lid with actuator for valve assembly

ABSTRACT

A lid is described to reduce spillage or leakage of fluids contained in a beverage container. The lid includes the actuator that opens and closes a dispensing opening of the lid and also opens and closes a valve of the lid to reduce spillage or leakage from the beverage container. As the actuator is opened, the dispensing opening is uncovered and the valve opened.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/544,085 filed Aug. 19, 2019, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/720,018 filed Aug. 20, 2018.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a lid with an actuator for closing a beverage container.

BACKGROUND

Certain beverage containers are known to use lids with closing features or structures to prevent or reduce spillage or leakage of fluids contained in the beverage containers. Many such beverage containers may still spill or leak when inverted or tipped over. Many such beverage containers may still spill or leak when fluids expand while warm or when containing carbonated beverages.

SUMMARY

Certain aspects of a lid with an actuator for closing a beverage container are shown and described. The lid includes the actuator that opens and closes a valve of the lid to reduce spillage or leakage from the beverage container. Both the body of the actuator and the valve may independently reduce spillage or leakage from the beverage container. In certain aspects, the beverage must first pass through the valve before the beverage reaches a dispensing opening to exit the beverage container. In certain aspects, the valve controls both a fluid passage and a vent passage of the lid. The fluid passage may be configured for fluid or a beverage to pass therethrough for a user to drink through the lid. The vent passage may be configured to permit air or steam to pass through.

The actuator is moved by the user to open and close the valve. When the user moves the actuator and opens the valve, the fluid passage and a vent passage may be simultaneously opened or closed. Thus, a single movement of the actuator may open both the vent passage and the fluid passage.

The valve assembly provides extra protection against unwanted spillage or leakage from the beverage container equipped with the lid. The actuator may generally close the lid and reduce unwanted spillage or leakage. The valve assembly further generally closes the lid to reduce unwanted spillage or leakage.

In certain aspects, the actuator is positioned above the dispensing opening to generally block liquid from passing through. In certain aspects, the valve assembly is positioned below the dispensing opening to generally block liquid from passing through from below, for example, when the lid is attached to a beverage container storing a liquid beverage.

Certain aspects of the lid assembly may be disassembled to permit easy cleaning or repairs. For example, the actuator also may be detachably engaged with the lid such that the actuator can be removed, cleaned, repaired, or replaced as well. In other aspects, the valve and/or the actuator are not intended to be dissembled or removed from the lid body.

In another aspect, a lid assembly is described. The lid assembly includes a lid body comprising a fluid passage and a vent passage passing through the lid body. An actuator is engaged to the lid body. A valve includes a valve stem and a valve body. The valve body is configured to seal the fluid passage and the vent passage of the lid body. The actuator is engaged to or interacts with the valve stem. The actuator is configured to move (e.g., rotate, lift, or slide) with respect to the lid body to an open position to drive the valve body away from the fluid passage and the vent passage. The actuator is further configured to move with respect to the lid body to a closed position to drive the valve body toward the fluid passage and the vent passage.

In another aspect, a lid assembly is described. The lid assembly includes a lid body having a fluid passage and a vent passage passing through the lid body. An actuator is slidably engaged or otherwise engaged to the lid body. A valve includes a valve stem and a valve body. The valve stem may be integral with the valve body or may have a multi-piece construction. The valve body is configured to seal the fluid passage and the vent passage of the lid body. The actuator is engaged to or interacts with the valve stem. The valve body includes a fluid passage closing member and a vent passage closing member. The actuator may be configured to slide with respect to the lid body to an open position to drive the fluid passage closing member away from a lower opening of the fluid passage and to drive the vent passage closing member away from a lower opening of the vent passage. The actuator may be further configured to slide with respect to the lid body to a closed position to drive the fluid passage closing member against the lower opening of the fluid passage and to drive the vent passage closing member against the lower opening of the vent passage.

In another aspect, a lid assembly is described. The lid assembly includes a lid body having a fluid passage passing through the lid body. A valve includes a valve stem, a valve body, and a release assembly. The valve body is configured to seal the fluid passage. An actuator is engaged to the lid body. The actuator is engaged to or interacts with the valve stem. The release assembly has a button member and a drive member. The drive member is configured to disengage the actuator from the lid body. The actuator may be configured to slide with respect to the lid body to an open position to drive the valve body away from the fluid passage. The actuator may be configured to slide with respect to the lid body to a closed position to drive the valve body toward the fluid passage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the first beverage container assembly.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the first beverage container assembly with the actuator moved to the open position.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the first beverage container assembly.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the lid assembly of the first beverage container assembly.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the first beverage container assembly.

FIG. 6 is a top view of the first beverage container assembly with the actuator moved to the open position.

FIG. 7 is an exploded upper view of the lid assembly of the first container assembly.

FIG. 8 is an exploded lower view of the lid assembly of the first beverage container assembly.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the actuator of the first beverage container assembly.

FIG. 10 is a perspective of the stem retaining portion of the first beverage container assembly.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of the lid assembly of the first beverage container assembly with the actuator in the closed position.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view of the lid assembly of the first beverage container assembly with the actuator in the open position.

FIG. 13 is a sectional view of lid assembly of the first beverage container assembly with the actuator in the closed position.

FIG. 14 is a sectional view of the lid assembly of the first beverage container assembly with the actuator in the open position.

FIG. 15 is a sectional view of lid assembly of the first beverage container assembly with the actuator moved to the open position showing the lever.

FIG. 16 is a sectional view of the lid assembly of the first beverage container assembly showing the actuation of the lever.

FIG. 17 is a sectional view of the lid assembly of the first beverage container assembly.

FIG. 18 is a sectional view of the lid assembly of the first beverage container assembly.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a second beverage container assembly.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the second beverage container assembly with the actuator moved to the open position.

FIG. 21 is an exploded view of the second beverage container assembly.

FIG. 22 is a side view of the lid assembly of the second beverage container assembly.

FIG. 23 is a top view of the second beverage container assembly.

FIG. 24 is a top view of the second beverage container assembly with the actuator moved to the open position.

FIG. 25 is an exploded upper view of the lid assembly of the second container assembly.

FIG. 26 is an exploded lower view of the lid assembly of the second beverage container assembly.

FIG. 27 is an exploded upper view of the actuator of the second beverage container assembly.

FIG. 28 is an exploded lower view of the actuator of the second beverage container assembly.

FIG. 29 is a perspective view of the stem retaining portion of the second beverage container assembly.

FIG. 30 is a sectional view of the lid assembly of the second beverage container assembly with the actuator in the closed position.

FIG. 31 is a sectional view of lid assembly of the second beverage container assembly with the actuator moved to the open position.

FIG. 32 is a sectional view of the lid assembly of the second beverage container assembly with the actuator in the closed position.

FIG. 33 is a sectional view of lid assembly of the second beverage container assembly with the actuator moved to the open position.

FIG. 34 is a sectional view of the lid assembly of the second beverage container assembly showing the pressing of the button member

FIG. 35 is a sectional view of the lid assembly of the second beverage container assembly showing the disengagement of the actuator.

FIG. 36 is a sectional view of the lid assembly of the second beverage container assembly showing the removal of the actuator from the lid assembly.

FIG. 37 is an exploded view of the lid assembly of the second beverage container assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

For purposes of this application, any terms that describe relative position (e.g., “upper”, “middle” “lower”, “outer”, “inner”, “above”, “below”, “bottom”, “top”, etc.) refer to an aspect of the invention as illustrated, but those terms do not limit the orientation in which the embodiments can be used.

A first beverage container assembly 10 will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1-18. The beverage container assembly 10 includes a beverage container 20 to hold a beverage and a lid assembly 50 to selectively close the beverage container 20. The lid assembly 50 may engage with the beverage container 20 to form the beverage container assembly 10.

The lid assembly 50 includes a lid body 100, an actuator 200, and a valve 300. The actuator 200 opens and closes a fluid passage 110 and a vent passage 120 of the lid body 100. The actuator 200 may simultaneously move the valve 300 to open and close the fluid passage 110 and the vent passage 120 of the lid body 100.

The movement of the actuator 200 may also open and close a dispensing opening 130 of the lid body 100. The dispensing opening 130 is formed in an upper surface 102 the lid body 100 and is an upper opening of the fluid passage 110. The actuator 200 may move to uncover or open the dispensing opening 130 while simultaneously moving the valve 300 to open and close the fluid passage 110 and the vent passage 120 of the lid body 100. Bumps 132 positioned on the upper surface 102 proximate the dispensing opening 130 provide an audible and/or tactile indication when the actuator 200 is fully closed. A lower surface 240 of the actuator 200 may block or cover the dispensing opening 130. The valve 300 provides protection against the beverage container assembly 10 leaking when the actuator 200 is in a closed position covering up the dispensing opening 130. In other aspects, the actuator 200 merely opens and closes the valve 300, and does not also block or cover the dispensing opening 130.

The actuator 200 may be a sliding member, a twisting member, a magnetic assembly, a lever member, a button member, or other element known in the art. Depending on the embodiment, the user may push, pull, slide, twist, turn, move, or otherwise actuate the actuator 200 to open the valve 300 and/or cover the dispensing opening 130.

The actuator 200, configured as a sliding member, may move in a generally lateral direction to uncover or open the dispensing opening 130 while simultaneously opening the valve 300. The actuator 200 may move generally perpendicular to a vertical axis of the beverage container 20. When fully moved to its maximum extent, a portion of the actuator 200 may extend beyond a rim 160 of a lid body 100 of the lid assembly 50. In the opening movement of the actuator 200, the actuator 200 is moving outward from a center of the lid body 100 and toward the rim 160. In other aspects, a sliding member version of an actuator 200 merely slides in an indentation that is smaller than the circumference of the upper lid surface. Such a version of a sliding member may include a handle to facilitate the user moving such sliding member.

As shown in FIGS. 1-4, the lid assembly 50 includes the lid body 100. The lid body 100 is shaped and configured to close an opening 22 of the beverage container 20. The lid body 100 includes a lower outer wall 150 that forms an engaging member 152 to removably engage with an engaging member 26 of the beverage container 20. In this aspect, the lower outer wall 150 enters the opening 22 of the beverage container 20. The engaging member 152 and the engaging member 26 may include any complementary components of a threaded engagement, snap-fit engagement, frictional engagement, bayonet engagement, or other engagements configured to selectively attach the lid body 100 to the beverage container 20.

The lid assembly 50 will now be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. The lid assembly 50 includes the lid body 100 that includes the dispensing opening 130. The dispensing opening 130 leads to the fluid passage 110, which generally extends from the upper surface 102 of the lid body 100, through the lid body 100, and to a lower surface 104 of the lid body 100 to permit liquids to pass therethrough when open. A lower opening 136 of the fluid passage 110 is formed in the lower surface 104 of the lid body 100. The lower opening 136 of the fluid passage 110 is defined by a lower surface rim. The sides of the fluid passage 110 are defined by one or more fluid passage walls.

The dispensing opening 130 may be sized or configured differently depending on the intended use of the lid assembly 50. For example, if the lid assembly 50 is intended to be used with a smaller volume beverage container 20 or intended for hot beverages, then the dispensing opening 130 may include a smaller dimensioned opening. For example, if the lid assembly 50 is intended to be used with a larger volume beverage container 20 intended for cold beverages, then the dispensing opening 130 may include a larger dimensioned opening. The upper surface 102 of the lid body 100 may generally slope or angle toward to the dispensing opening 130, which helps drips of fluid to flow back down through the dispensing opening 130.

The lid body 100 includes the actuator 200, configured as a sliding member in this aspect, to slidably move to open and close the valve 300. The actuator 200 is movably engaged to the lid body 100. The illustrated lid body 100 includes an indentation 140 in its upper surface 102 that receives the actuator 200 in the moveable engagement. The indentation 140 includes indentation sidewalls 142 having protrusions 144 that removably engage with the actuator 200. A bottom surface 146 of the indentation 140 includes a vent upper opening 123 to vent an interior of the beverage container 20 when the lid assembly 50 is engaged to the beverage container 20. The vent upper opening 123 is defined by a vent rim. The vent upper opening 123 is the upper opening of the vent passage 120. The vent passage 120 passes through the lid body 100 to a vent lower opening 126. The sides of the vent passage 120 are defined by one or more vent passage walls.

The indentation 140 also forms a central passage 148, which passes through the lid body 100. The central passage 148 is sized and shaped to receive a valve stem 320 of the valve 300. The central passage 148 includes a protrusion 159 that aligns with a slot 161 in the valve stem 320 to promote proper alignment and installation.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the lid body 100 further includes the rim 160 having a rim opening 162. The actuator 200 may slide or pass through the rim opening 162 when the actuator 200 is moved to the open position. The rim opening 162 is sized to permit the actuator 200 or a portion thereof to pass through the rim opening 162. As shown in FIG. 3, the lid body 100 further includes a lid gasket 168 positioned below the rim 160 that seals against an upper rim 29 of the beverage container 20.

In certain aspects, the actuator 200 includes a tab 210 that extends upward from an upper surface 230 of the actuator 200. An inner portion of the tab 210 may include a textured grip 212. The tab 210 is sized and shaped to permit a user to push or hold to move the actuator 200 to an open position or a closed position.

In certain aspects, the body of the actuator 200 includes sidewalls 220 having a bayonet opening 222, which leads to a bayonet channel 224. As illustrated, some aspects of the actuator 200 include multiple bayonet openings 222 and respective bayonet channels 224 (possibly just one or two or more on each sidewall 220). When the actuator 200 is engaged to the lid body 100, protrusions 144 of the indentation sidewalls 142 of the indentation 140 enter into the bayonet opening 222 of the sidewalls 220 of the actuator 200 to slidably lock the actuator 200 to the lid body 100. As the actuator 200 slides relative to the lid body 100, the protrusions 144 pass from the bayonet openings 222 into the bayonet channels 224, which provide a length of travel for the protrusions 144.

The valve 300 will now be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. The valve 300 includes a valve body 310 and the valve stem 320. The valve stem 320 may extend from the valve body 310. The valve stem 320 may extend generally perpendicular to the valve body 310. In certain aspects, the valve stem 320 may be integrally molded to or formed with the valve body 310. In other aspects, the valve stem 320 may be a multi-piece construction with the valve body 310. A distal end of the valve stem 320 forms a valve stem retaining portion 330 that slidably engages with the actuator 200.

The valve stem 320 passes through the central passage 148 of the lid body 100 and engages with the actuator 300. During assembly, the valve stem 320 (and therefore the rest of the valve body 310 when those components form a single piece construction) may be disengaged from the actuator 300 and lid body 100 for cleaning purposes. In alternative aspects, the valve stem 320 and the valve stem retaining portion 330 may be two separate pieces with some connection structure known in the art.

As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the fluid passage 110 is opened and closed by moving the valve 300. The fluid passage 110 is formed by the lid body 100. When the valve body 310 is moved downward by the actuator 200 moving to the open position, the fluid passage 110 is opened. When the actuator 200 is moved to the closed position, the valve body 310 is moved upward to a closed position, which closes the fluid passage 110 to reduce unwanted spillage or leakage of liquid from the beverage container 20.

A fluid contained in the beverage container assembly 10 generally has to pass through the fluid passage 110 before the fluid can reach the dispensing opening 130. The flow of the fluid through the fluid passage 110 is controlled by the valve body 310 and, in certain aspects, the flow of the fluid through the dispensing opening 130 is controlled by the actuator 200. Thus, the lid assembly 50 of the beverage container assembly 10 provides multiple checks or measures to stop unwanted spillage or leakage of liquid from the beverage container 20.

During the opening movement of the actuator 200, as illustrated, the actuator 200 is held to the lid body 100 by the engagement of the protrusions 144 of the indentation sidewalls 142 of the lid body 100 with the bayonet opening 222 and bayonet channel 224 of the sidewall 220 of the actuator 200. The force from the engagement of the actuator 200 with lid body 100 is released downward to the valve stem 320. Thus, the generally lateral movement of the actuator 200 urges the valve body 310 downward.

When assembled, the valve stem retaining portion 330 protrudes though the lid body 100 in order to slidably engage with actuator 200. In this aspect, the actuator 200 and/or the valve stem retaining portion 330 include ramps, inclines, angled surfaces, etc. that urge the valve 300 to an open position when the actuator 200 is moved. As shown in FIG. 9, the sidewalls 220 of the actuator 200 include lower sloping surfaces 227. As shown in FIG. 10, the valve stem retaining portion 330 includes upper sloping surfaces 262. When the actuator 200 slides relative to the lid body 100 as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the lower sloping surfaces 227 of the actuator 200 urge or slide against the upper sloping surfaces 262 of the valve stem retaining portion 330 to drive or urge the valve stem 320 downward to open the valve 300. In this aspect, the lower sloping surfaces 227 of the actuator 200 slide over the upper sloping surfaces 262.

In this aspect, the engagement between the actuator 200 and the lid body 100 in the closed position also provides a bias or urges the valve 300 to a closed position. The actuator 200 and/or the lid body 100 include ramps, inclines, angled surfaces, etc. that drive or urge the valve 300 to the closed position. As shown in FIG. 10, the valve stem retaining portion 330 includes lower sloping surfaces 267. In this aspect, as shown in FIG. 9, internal surfaces 272 of the sidewalls 220 of the actuator 200 include incline surfaces 274 that slide against the lower sloping surfaces 267 when the actuator 200 is moved to the closed position to urge the valve body 310 upward to the closed position. In this aspect, the incline surfaces 274 slide under the lower sloping surfaces 267. The sliding contact between the incline surfaces 274 and the lower sloping surfaces 267 thus drives the valve 300 upward to the closed position. This engagement reduces leakage of the beverage container assembly 10 when the actuator 200 is in the closed position.

The valve 300 will now be described with reference to FIGS. 17 and 18. This aspect features a valve 300 includes the valve body 310 and the valve stem 320 in a unitary or integral construction. The valve stem 320 may extend upwards between opposite sides of the valve body 310. In this aspect, a vent passage closing member 312 and a fluid passage closing member 316 are on opposite sides of the valve body 310. The vent passage closing member 312 and the fluid passage closing member 316 may be formed as raised or protruding bumps that are configured to plug or block the lower opening 136 of the fluid passage 110 and the vent lower opening 126 of the vent passage 120. In this aspect, a valve body gasket 340 covers the valve body 310. The valve body gasket 340 may be formed of an elastomeric material to seal against the lower opening 136 of the fluid passage 110 and the vent lower opening 126 of the vent passage 120. In the aspect shown, the valve body gasket 340 anchors to the valve body 310. In the aspect shown, for example, a protrusion 342 of the valve body gasket 340 passes through an opening 312 of the valve body 310, while a flanged opening 344 of the valve body gasket 340 engages to a protruding member 314 of the valve body 310.

In operation, the valve body 310 is positioned beneath the lid body 100. The valve stem 320 passes through the central passage 148. With respect to FIG. 18, an upper end of the valve stem 320 forms the valve stem retaining portion 330. With respect to FIG. 18, the valve stem retaining portion 330 passes through the central passage 148 of the lid body 100 and engages with the actuator 200.

As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the actuator 200 includes a lever member 280 that provides a catch or stop to prevent the outward movement of actuator 200. The lever member 280 slides in a channel 147 in the bottom surface 146 of the indentation 140. A lower surface 282 of the lever member 280 includes a catch member 284 that catches against an end wall 149 of the channel 147 in the bottom surface 146 of the indentation 140 to stop or prevent further outward movement of the actuator 200. The user may press upward on an underneath surface 282 of the lever member 280 to flex the lever member 280 and lift the catch member 284 over the end wall 149. In order to fully remove the actuator 200, the actuator 200 will need to be disengaged from the valve stem retaining portion 330.

As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the fluid passage 110 is opened and closed by moving the valve body 310. When the valve body 310 is moved downward by the actuator 200 moving to the open position, the fluid passage 110 and the vent passage 120 are opened. In certain aspects, the sliding engagement of the valve stem retaining portion 330 with actuator 200 urges the valve body 310 downward to the open position. In certain aspects, when the actuator 200 is moved to the closed position, the sliding engagement of the valve stem retaining portion 330 with the actuator 200 also urges the valve body 310 upward to a closed position, which closes the fluid passage 110 and the vent passage 120 to reduce unwanted spillage or leakage of liquid from the beverage container 20.

When the actuator 200 moves to the open position, the lower sloping surfaces 227 of the actuator 200 are urged against the upper sloping surfaces 262 of the valve stem retaining portion 330. The engagement of the lower sloping surfaces 227 and the upper sloping surfaces 262 is shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. This engagement drives the valve stem retaining portion 330 in a downward direction and likewise drives the valve stem 320 and the valve body downward to open up the fluid passage 110 and the vent passage 120. In the aspect of FIGS. 13 and 14, the actuator 200 is moving to the right side to be in the open position. The engagement of the lower sloping surfaces 227 pressing against the upper sloping surfaces 262 converts the generally lateral movement of the actuator 200 to the downward movement of the valve stem retaining portion 330. The lower sloping surfaces 227 and the upper sloping surfaces 262 form two pairs of interacting wedges or ramps that translate the opening movement of the actuator 200 to further open the valve 300.

During the opening movement of the actuator 200 as illustrated, the actuator 200 is held to the lid body 100 by the engagement of the protrusions 144 of the indentation sidewalls 142 of the lid body 100 with the opening 272 and channel 274 of the sidewall 270 of the actuator 200. The force from the engagement of the lower sloping surfaces 227 pressing against the upper sloping surfaces 262 is released downward. Thus, the generally lateral movement of the actuator 200 urges the valve body 310 downward to open the valve 300.

Similarly, the internal surfaces 272 of the sidewall 270 of the actuator 200 includes the incline surfaces 274 that slide against the lower sloping surfaces 267 of the stem retaining portion 330 when the actuator 200 is moved to the closed position to urge the valve 300 upward to the closed position. The sliding contact between the incline surfaces 274 and the lower sloping surfaces 267 drives the valve 300 to a closed position. In this aspect, the incline surfaces 274 and the lower sloping surfaces 267 form two pairs of interacting wedges or ramps that translate the closing movement of the actuator 200 to further close the valve 300. As such, in this aspect, the valve stem retaining portion 330 forms both the lower sloping surfaces 267 and the upper sloping surfaces 262 that interact with the actuator 200 to drive the valve stem retaining portion 330 both upward and downward.

A second lid assembly 60 and a second beverage container assembly 11 will now be described with reference to FIGS. 19-37. The second lid assembly 60 generally operates in a similar manner to the lid assembly 50, i.e., an actuator 500 is moved relative to a lid body 400 by the user to open and close a valve 600. However, in this aspect, the actuator 500 may be separated from the lid body 400 in a different manner. The lid assembly 600 further includes a release assembly 700 that assists in separating the actuator 500 from the lid body 400. The release assembly 700 further includes a push-button design to assist in disengaging the actuator 500 from the lid body 400.

The lid assembly 60 generally includes the lid body 400, the actuator 500, and the valve 600. The actuator 500 opens and closes a fluid passage 410 and a vent passage 420 of the lid body 400. In this aspect, the actuator 500 may include a two-part construction. For example, the actuator 500 may include a lower portion 505 and an upper portion 510 that are joined together. The actuator 500 may simultaneously move the valve 600 to open and close the fluid passage 410 and the vent passage 420 of the lid body 400.

The movement of the actuator 500 may also open and close a dispensing opening 430 of the lid body 400. The dispensing opening 430 is formed in an upper surface 402 the lid body 400 and is an upper opening of the fluid passage 410. The actuator 500 may move to uncover or open the dispensing opening 430 while simultaneously moving the valve 600 to open and close the fluid passage 410 and the vent passage 420 of the lid body 400. A lower surface 540 of the actuator 500 may block or cover the dispensing opening 430. The valve 600 provides protection against the lid assembly 60 from leaking when the actuator 500 is in a closed position covering up the dispensing opening 430. In other aspects, the actuator 500 merely opens and closes the valve 600, and does not also block or cover the dispensing opening 430.

The actuator 500 may be a sliding member, a twisting member, a magnetic assembly, a lever member, a button member, or other element known in the art. Depending on the embodiment, the user may push, pull, slide, twist, turn, move, or otherwise actuate the actuator 500 to open the valve 600 and/or cover the dispensing opening 430.

The actuator 500, configured as a sliding member, may move in a generally lateral direction to uncover or open the dispensing opening 430 while simultaneously opening the valve 600. The actuator 500 may move generally perpendicular to a vertical axis of the beverage container 21. In the opening movement of the actuator 500, the actuator 500 is moving outward from a center of the lid body 400 and toward the rim 460. The actuator 500 slides in an indentation that is smaller than the circumference of the upper lid surface. Such a version of a sliding member may include a handle 515 to facilitate the user moving such sliding member.

As shown in FIGS. 20-24, the lid assembly 60 includes the lid body 400. The lid body 400 is shaped and configured to close an opening 53 of the beverage container 51. The lid body 400 includes a lower outer wall 460 that forms an engaging member 452 to removably engage with an engaging member 57 of the beverage container 21. In this aspect, the lower outer wall 460 enters the opening 23 of the beverage container 21. The engaging member 452 and the engaging member 57 may include a complementary components of a threaded engagement, snap-fit engagement, frictional engagement, bayonet engagement, or other engagements configured to selectively attach the lid body 400 to the beverage container 21.

The lid assembly 60 will now be described with reference to FIGS. 25 and 26. The lid assembly 60 includes the lid body 400 that includes the dispensing opening 430. The dispensing opening 430 leads to the fluid passage 410, which generally extends from the upper surface 402 of the lid body 400, through the lid body 400, and to a lower surface 404 of the lid body 400 to permit liquids to pass therethrough when open. A lower opening 436 of the fluid passage 410 is formed in the lower surface 404 of the lid body 400. The lower opening 436 of the fluid passage 410 is defined by a lower surface rim. The sides of the fluid passage 410 are defined by one or more fluid passage walls.

The dispensing opening 430 may be sized or configured differently depending on the intended use of the lid assembly 60. For example, if the lid assembly 60 is intended to be used with a smaller volume beverage container 21 or intended for hot beverages, then the dispensing opening 430 may include a smaller dimensioned opening. For example, if the lid assembly 60 is intended to be used with a larger volume beverage container 21 intended for cold beverages, then the dispensing opening 430 may include a larger dimensioned opening. The upper surface 402 of the lid body 400 may generally slope or angle toward to the dispensing opening 430, which helps drips of fluid to flow back down through the dispensing opening 430.

The lid body 400 includes the actuator 500, configured as a sliding member in this aspect, to slidably move to open and close the valve 600. The actuator 500 is movably engaged to the lid body 400. The illustrated lid body 400 includes an indentation 440 in its upper surface 402 that receives the actuator 500 in the moveable engagement. The indentation 440 includes indentation sidewalls 442 having protrusions 444 that removably engage with the actuator 500. A bottom surface 446 of the indentation 440 includes a vent upper opening 423 to vent an interior of the beverage container 21 when the lid assembly 60 is engaged to the beverage container 21. The vent upper opening 423 is the upper opening of the vent passage 420. The vent upper opening 423 is defined by a vent rim. The vent passage 420 passes through the lid body 400 to a vent lower opening 426. The sides of the vent passage 420 are defined by one or more vent passage walls.

The indentation 440 also forms a central passage 448, which passes through the lid body 400. The central passage 448 is sized and shaped to receive a valve stem 620 of the valve 600. The lid body 400 further includes a lid gasket 468 positioned below a rim 460 that seals against an upper rim 59 of the beverage container 21.

In certain aspects, the actuator 500 includes a knob 515 that extends upward from an upper surface 530 of the actuator 500. The knob 515 is sized and shaped to permit a user to push or hold to move the actuator 500 to an open position or a closed position.

In certain aspects, the body of the actuator 500 includes sidewalls 520 having a bayonet opening 522, which leads to a bayonet channel 524. As illustrated, some aspects of the actuator 500 include multiple bayonet openings 522 and respective bayonet channels 524 (possibly just one or two or more on each sidewall 520). When the actuator 500 is engaged to the lid body 400, the protrusions 444 of the indentation sidewalls 442 of the indentation 440 enter into the bayonet opening 522 of the sidewalls 520 of the actuator 500 to slidably lock the actuator 500 to the lid body 400. As the actuator 500 slides relative to the lid body 400, the protrusions 444 pass from the bayonet openings 522 into the bayonet channels 524, which provide a length of travel for the protrusions 444.

The valve 600 will now be described with reference to FIG. 25. The valve 600 includes a valve body 610 and the valve stem 620. The valve stem 620 may extend from the valve body 610. The valve stem 620 may extend generally perpendicular to the valve body 610. In certain aspects, the valve stem 620 may be integrally molded to or formed with the valve body 610. A distal end of the valve stem 620 forms a valve stem retaining portion 630 that slidably engages with the actuator 600. In certain aspects, the valve stem retaining portion 630 is integral with the valve stem 620, which is integral with valve body 610. In other aspects, the valve stem retaining portion 630, valve stem 620, and valve body 610 may be formed of a multi-piece construction.

The valve stem 620 passes through the central passage 448 of the lid body 400 and engages with the actuator 600. During assembly, the valve stem 620 (and therefore the rest of the valve body 610 when those components form a single piece construction) may be disengaged from the actuator 600 and the lid body 400 for cleaning purposes. In alternative aspects, the valve stem 620 and the valve stem retaining portion 630 may be two separate pieces with some connection structure known in the art.

As shown in FIGS. 30 and 31, the fluid passage 410 is opened and closed by moving the valve 600. The fluid passage 410 is formed by the lid body 400. When the valve body 610 is moved downward by the actuator 500 moving to the open position, the fluid passage 410 is opened. When the actuator 500 is moved to the closed position, the valve body 610 is moved upward to a closed position, which closes the fluid passage 410 to reduce unwanted spillage or leakage of liquid from the beverage container 21.

A fluid contained in the beverage container assembly 40 generally has to pass through the fluid passage 410 before the fluid can reach the dispensing opening 430. The flow of the fluid through the fluid passage 410 is controlled by the valve body 610 and, in certain aspects, the flow of the fluid through the dispensing opening 430 is controlled by the actuator 500. Thus, the lid assembly 60 provides multiple checks or measures to stop unwanted spillage or leakage of liquid from the beverage container 21.

During the opening movement of the actuator 500, as illustrated, the actuator 500 is held to the lid body 400 by the engagement of the protrusions 444 of the indentation sidewalls 442 of the lid body 400 with the bayonet opening 522 and bayonet channel 524 of the sidewall 520 of the actuator 500. The force from the engagement of the actuator 500 with lid body 400 is released downward to the valve stem 620. Thus, the generally lateral movement of the actuator 500 urges the valve body 610 downward.

When assembled, the valve stem retaining portion 630 protrudes though the lid body 400 in order to slidably engage with actuator 500. In this aspect, the actuator 500 and/or the valve stem retaining portion 630 include ramps, inclines, angled surfaces, etc. that urge the valve 600 to an open position when the actuator 500 is moved. As shown in FIGS. 29-31, the sidewalls 520 of the actuator 500 include lower sloping surfaces 527. As shown in FIGS. 29-31, the valve stem retaining portion 630 includes upper sloping surfaces 562. When the actuator 500 slides relative to the lid body 400 as shown in FIGS. 30 and 31, the lower sloping surfaces 527 of the actuator 500 urge or slide against the upper sloping surfaces 562 of the valve stem retaining portion 630 to drive or urge the valve stem 620 downward to open the valve 600. In this aspect, the lower sloping surfaces 527 of the actuator 500 slide over the upper sloping surfaces 562.

In this aspect, the engagement between the actuator 500 and the lid body 400 in the closed position also provides a bias or urges the valve 600 to a closed position. The actuator 500 and/or the lid body 400 include ramps, inclines, angled surfaces, etc. that drive or urge the valve 600 to the closed position. As shown in FIG. 29, the valve stem retaining portion 630 includes lower sloping surfaces 567. In this aspect, as shown in FIGS. 27 and 28, internal surfaces 572 of the sidewalls 520 of the actuator 500 include incline surfaces 574 that slide against the lower sloping surfaces 567 when the actuator 500 is moved to the closed position to urge the valve body 610 upward to the closed position. In this aspect, the incline surfaces 574 slide under the lower sloping surfaces 567. The sliding contact between the incline surfaces 574 and the lower sloping surfaces 567 thus drives the valve 600 upward to the closed position. This engagement reduces leakage of the beverage container assembly 40 when the actuator 500 is in the closed position.

The valve 600 will now be described with reference to FIG. 37. The valve 600 includes the valve body 610 and the valve stem 620 in a unitary or integral construction. The valve stem 620 may extend upwards between opposite sides of the valve body 610. In this aspect, a vent passage closing member 612 and a fluid passage closing member 616 are on opposite sides of the valve body 610. The vent passage closing member 612 and the fluid passage closing member 616 may be formed as raised or protruding bumps that are configured to plug or block the lower opening 436 of the fluid passage 410 and the vent lower opening 426 of the vent passage 420. In this aspect, a valve body gasket 640 covers the valve body 610. The valve body gasket 640 may be formed of an elastomeric material to seal against the lower opening 436 of the fluid passage 410 and the vent lower opening 426 of the vent passage 420. In the aspect shown, the valve body gasket 640 anchors to the valve body 610. In the aspect shown, for example, a protrusion 642 of the valve body gasket 640 passes through an opening 612 of the valve body 610, while a flanged opening 644 of the valve body gasket 640 engages to a protruding member 614 of the valve body 610.

In operation, the valve body 610 is positioned beneath the lid body 400. The valve stem 620 passes through the central passage 448. With respect to FIG. 29, an upper end of the valve stem 620 forms the valve stem retaining portion 630. With respect to FIGS. 30 and 31, the valve stem retaining portion 630 passes through the central passage 448 of the lid body 400 and engages with the actuator 500.

As shown in FIGS. 30 and 31, the fluid passage 410 is opened and closed by moving the valve body 610. When the valve body 610 is moved downward by the actuator 500 moving to the open position, the fluid passage 410 and the vent passage 420 are opened. In certain aspects, the sliding engagement of the valve stem retaining portion 630 with actuator 500 urges the valve body 610 downward to the open position. In certain aspects, when the actuator 500 is moved to the closed position, the sliding engagement of the valve stem retaining portion 630 with the actuator 500 also urges the valve body 610 upward to a closed position, which closes the fluid passage 410 and the vent passage 420 to reduce unwanted spillage or leakage of liquid from the beverage container 21.

When the actuator 500 moves to the open position, the lower sloping surfaces 527 of the actuator 500 are urged against the upper sloping surfaces 562 of the valve stem retaining portion 630. The engagement of the lower sloping surfaces 527 and the upper sloping surfaces 562 is shown in FIGS. 30 and 31. This engagement drives the valve stem retaining portion 630 in a downward direction and likewise drives the valve stem 620 and the valve body downward to open up the fluid passage 410 and the vent passage 420. In the aspect of FIGS. 30 and 31 the actuator 500 is moving to the right side to be in the open position. The engagement of the lower sloping surfaces 527 pressing against the upper sloping surfaces 562 converts the generally lateral movement of the actuator 500 to the downward movement of the valve stem retaining portion 630. The lower sloping surfaces 527 and the upper sloping surfaces 562 form two pairs of interacting wedges or ramps that translate the opening movement of the actuator 500 to further open the valve 600.

During the opening movement of the actuator 500 as illustrated, the actuator 500 is held to the lid body 400 by the engagement of the protrusions 444 of the indentation sidewalls 442 of the lid body 400 with the opening 572 and channel 574 of the sidewall 570 of the actuator 500. The force from the engagement of the lower sloping surfaces 527 pressing against the upper sloping surfaces 562 is released downward. Thus, the generally lateral movement of the actuator 500 urges the valve body 610 downward to open the valve 600.

Similarly, the internal surfaces 572 of the sidewall 570 of the actuator 500 includes the incline surfaces 574 that slide against the lower sloping surfaces 567 of the stem retainer when the actuator 500 is moved to the closed position to urge the valve body 610 upward to the closed position. The sliding contact between the incline surfaces 574 and the lower sloping surfaces 567 drives the valve 600 to a closed position. In this aspect, the incline surfaces 574 and the lower sloping surfaces 567 form two pairs of interacting wedges or ramps that translate the closing movement of the actuator 500 to further close the valve 600. As such, in this aspect, the valve stem retaining portion 630 forms both the lower sloping surfaces 567 and the upper sloping surfaces 562 that interact with the actuator 500 to drive the valve stem retaining portion 630 both upward and downward.

The release assembly 700 includes a button member 710 on a bottom of the valve 600. The button member 710 holds a lower end 720 of a drive member 730. When the user presses the button member 710 while urging the actuator 500 to the open position, the drive member 730 pushes upward against the actuator 500 and causes the actuator 500 to disengage from an upper surface 402 of the lid body 400.

In this aspect, the actuator 500 may include the lower portion 505 and the upper portion 510. When the button member 710 is pushed, the drive member 730 pushes against a lower surface 507 of the lower portion 505 of the actuator 500, which causes the lower portion 505 to flex upward and for a lower end 509 of the lower portion 505 to disengage from the channel 447 in the indentation 440 of the upper surface 402 of the lid body 400. There is sufficient space between the lower portion 505 and the upper portion 510 to permit the lower portion 505 to flex or bend upward. This provides for the actuator 500 to disengage from the channel 447. This permits the actuator 500 to be separated from the lid assembly 60 for cleaning.

In this aspect, the drive member 730 passes through an interior of the valve stem 620 and engages to the actuator 500. The button member 710 holds a lower end 733 of the drive member 730. The button member 710 includes a hollow central portion to receive the lower end 733 of the drive member 730. The button member 710 fits into a lower opening 618 of the valve body 610 with a flange portion 712 of the button member 710 catching against a lower surface 619 of the valve body 610. The button member 710 may be formed of a flexible or resilient material that bends or flexes when pressed. When a user applies a pressing force to the button member 710, the pressing force is transmitted to the drive member 730, and the drive member presses 730 against the actuator 500 to disengage the actuator 500 from the lid body 400.

As such, it should be understood that the disclosure is not limited to the particular aspects described herein, but that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this novel concept as defined by the following claims. Further, many other advantages of applicant's disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the above descriptions and the claims below. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A lid assembly, comprising: a lid body comprising a fluid passage and a vent passage passing through the lid body; an actuator engaged to the lid body; a valve comprising a valve stem and a valve body, and the valve body configured to seal the fluid passage and the vent passage of the lid body; the actuator configured to interact with the valve stem, whereby the actuator moves to a first position relative to the lid body thereby driving the valve body away from the fluid passage and the vent passage, which opens the fluid passage and the vent passage; and, the actuator configured to move to a second position relative to the lid body thereby driving the valve body toward the fluid passage and the vent passage, which closes the fluid passage and the vent passage.
 2. The lid assembly according to claim 1, wherein the valve stem includes a stem retaining portion that slidably engages with the actuator.
 3. The lid assembly according to claim 2, wherein the actuator is configured to slide relative to an indentation in the lid body to open and close the valve, wherein a sloped lower surface of the actuator engages with the stem retaining portion to drive the stem retaining portion downward.
 4. The lid assembly according to claim 2, wherein the valve stem is integral with the stem retaining portion and the valve body.
 5. The lid assembly according to claim 1, wherein the fluid passage leads to a dispensing opening, and the actuator is configured to move to open and close the dispensing opening and to also simultaneously open and close the valve.
 6. The lid assembly according to claim 1, wherein the valve body includes a fluid passage closing member and a vent passage closing member.
 7. The lid assembly according to claim 6, wherein the fluid passage closing member and the vent passage closing member protrude upward from the valve body on opposite sides of the valve stem.
 8. The lid assembly according to claim 1, wherein the valve comprises the valve stem extending generally perpendicular from the valve body.
 9. The lid assembly according to claim 1, wherein the valve comprises the valve stem extending generally perpendicular from the valve body, wherein the valve stem passes through a central passage of the lid body, and an upper end of the valve stem interacts with a lower surface of the actuator.
 10. The lid assembly according to claim 1, wherein the indentation includes indentation sidewalls having protrusions, and wherein the actuator includes sidewalls having openings, which leads to channels, wherein the protrusions of the indentation sidewalls enter into the openings and the channels of the sidewalls to slidably lock the actuator to the lid body.
 11. The lid assembly according to claim 10, wherein the protrusions or channels comprise ramps or inclines that prevent removal of the actuator from the indentation.
 12. The lid assembly according to claim 1, wherein the actuator is configured to fully disengage from the lid body and the valve.
 13. The lid assembly according to claim 1, wherein a lever is engaged to the actuator, wherein the lever releasably holds the actuator to the lid body, and wherein the lever is movable to release the actuator from the lid body.
 14. The lid assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a release assembly comprising a drive member, wherein the drive member is configured to disengage the actuator from the lid body.
 15. The lid assembly according to claim 14, wherein the drive member passes through an interior of the valve stem and engages the actuator.
 16. The lid assembly according to claim 14, further comprising a button member, wherein the button member holds a lower end of the drive member.
 17. The lid assembly according to claim 16, wherein a pressing force applied to the button member is transmitted to the drive member, and the drive member presses against the actuator to disengage the actuator from the lid body.
 18. A beverage container assembly comprising the lid assembly according to claim 1 and a beverage container, wherein the lid assembly is configured to engage to the beverage container.
 19. A lid assembly, comprising: a lid body comprising a fluid passage and a vent passage passing through the lid body; an actuator slidably engaged to the lid body; a valve comprising a valve stem and a valve body, wherein the valve stem is integral with the valve body, and the valve body configured to seal the fluid passage and the vent passage of the lid body; the actuator interacts with the valve stem; the valve body includes a fluid passage closing member and a vent passage closing member; the actuator configured to slide with respect to the lid body to an open position to drive the fluid passage closing member away from a lower opening of the fluid passage and to drive the vent passage closing member away from a lower opening of the vent passage; and, the actuator configured to slide with respect to the lid body to a closed position to drive the fluid passage closing member against the lower opening of the fluid passage and to drive the vent passage closing member against the lower opening of the vent passage.
 20. A lid assembly, comprising: a lid body comprising a fluid passage passing through the lid body; a valve comprising a valve stem, a valve body, and a release assembly, and the valve body configured to seal the fluid passage; an actuator slidably engaged to the lid body, and the actuator engaged to the valve stem; the release assembly comprising a button member and a drive member, wherein the drive member is configured to disengage the actuator from the lid body; the actuator configured to slide with respect to the lid body to drive the valve body away from the fluid passage, thereby opening the fluid passage; and, the actuator configured to slide with respect to the lid body to drive the valve body toward the fluid passage, thereby closing the fluid passage. 